Hergé — Explorers on the Moon — First UK Edition, 1959

HERGÉ.
The Adventures of Tintin: Explorers on the Moon.
London: Methuen & Co. Ltd, 1959. First UK edition. Quarto. Illustrated throughout in colour. Original pictorial boards. Now housed in an easily removable clear acetate archival wrapper.

Description

A very good example of the first UK edition of Explorers on the Moon, published by Methuen in 1959 and one of the most important early British Tintin editions.

Originally published in French as On a marché sur la Lune, the book forms the second half of Hergé’s celebrated lunar adventure, following directly from Destination Moon. Tintin, Snowy, Captain Haddock and Professor Calculus travel aboard the iconic red-and-white rocket and become among fiction’s most memorable early lunar explorers.

The book occupies a particularly important place within the Tintin canon. Hergé combined scientific research, carefully observed technology and imaginative storytelling with the clarity of his mature ligne claire style. The lunar landscape, rocket interiors, spacesuits and technical sequences all contribute to the remarkable visual coherence of the book, while the narrative balances humour with genuine tension and a strong sense of danger.

The English-language edition was translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner, whose work played a central role in establishing Tintin with British readers. The copyright page states “First published in Great Britain in 1959”, confirming the first UK edition. The book was printed by Établissements Casterman, Tournai, Belgium, and carries catalogue number 6055/U.

The front board is one of the most recognisable images in the British Tintin series, showing Tintin, Captain Haddock and Snowy on the lunar surface with the rocket in the distance. The rear board retains the early Methuen illustrated series advertisement and the original printed price of 8s 6d net.

At Hornseys, early Tintin editions are individually examined and catalogued with particular attention to edition statement, Methuen catalogue number, board design, rear-board advertisement, printed price, binding integrity and internal condition. These features are essential in distinguishing first editions from later Methuen reprints and subsequent issues.

Condition

Very good. The spine is slightly faded and slightly marked. The original pictorial boards are slightly marked, with rubbing, light creasing and wear to the corners. The binding remains tight and firm.

Internally, the pages are generally nice and clean, with minor marks and the usual toning to the text block. The colour illustrations remain clear and attractive throughout.

The book is now housed in an easily removable clear acetate archival wrapper, offering additional protection without altering the original binding.

A very good and presentable copy of the first UK edition.

Bibliographical Details

Author / Illustrator: Hergé
Title: The Adventures of Tintin: Explorers on the Moon
Original French Title: On a marché sur la Lune
Translators: Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner
Publisher: Methuen & Co. Ltd
Place of Publication: London
Date: 1959
Edition: First UK edition
Format: Quarto
Illustration: Illustrated throughout in colour
Binding: Original pictorial boards
Printed Price: 8s 6d net
Catalogue Number: 6055/U
Printer: Établissements Casterman, Tournai, Belgium
Condition: Very good
Protective Covering: Easily removable clear acetate archival wrapper

Collecting Importance

Explorers on the Moon is one of the key early Methuen Tintin titles. Together with Destination Moon, it represents Hergé at the height of his technical and visual ambition and introduced British readers to one of the most iconic sequences in twentieth-century European comic art.

The first UK edition is especially collectable because of its early Methuen binding, original price, rear-board advertisement and first-edition statement, all of which distinguish it from later printings.

About Hornseys

Hornseys has been dealing in rare books, illustrated books, maps, art and collectable material since 1976. Each book is individually examined, researched and catalogued before being offered for sale.

For early Tintin editions, we pay particular attention to the bibliographical details that distinguish first editions and early impressions from later printings, including publisher’s statements, binding designs, rear-board advertisements, price information and physical condition. Our aim is to provide collectors with clear, accurate and useful descriptions based on the individual copy being offered rather than generic catalogue information.

Hornseys is based in Ripon, North Yorkshire, and has nearly fifty years of experience handling collectable books and illustrated material.

Why Buy from Hornseys?

At Hornseys, we specialise in carefully selected rare, collectable and illustrated books, with particular attention to first editions, early impressions, signed copies and books of bibliographical or cultural importance. Every book is individually examined, researched and described before being offered for sale.

Our aim is to give collectors and readers clear, accurate information about the edition, issue, condition, completeness and distinguishing features of each copy.

• Authenticity and Bibliographical Accuracy: Every book is checked for edition, impression, publisher, binding, completeness and relevant points of issue. Where appropriate, signatures, inscriptions, provenance and other identifying features are also assessed and described.
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Hornseys has been established in Ripon, North Yorkshire, since 1976, giving us nearly fifty years of experience in handling rare books, illustrated books, maps, art and other collectable material.